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Robotics Software Engineer Jobs

Developers who craft the brains of robotic systems. From low-level control to high-level decision-making, these engineers are at the heart of robotics innovation.

Open roles
8
Salary range
£40k – £85k
Hiring companies
7
View 8 live roles → Get an alert

Robotics Software Engineers are the architects of robotic intelligence. They design, develop, and implement the software that enables robots to perceive their environment, make decisions, and execute tasks autonomously. These roles are found in a variety of settings, from research-heavy startups to large-scale industrial automation firms, and often involve working with cutting-edge technologies like ROS (Robot Operating System), machine learning, and computer vision.

What the role does

Inside the role of a Robotics Software Engineer

A typical week for a Robotics Software Engineer is a mix of coding, testing, and collaboration with hardware and mechanical engineers.

  1. 01
    Design and implement algorithms for robot perception and control.
  2. 02
    Write and test code for robotic systems using ROS and other frameworks.
  3. 03
    Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate software with hardware.
  4. 04
    Conduct simulations and real-world testing to validate system performance.
  5. 05
    Document code and processes for future reference and team collaboration.
  6. 06
    Stay updated with the latest research and developments in robotics and AI.
Salary on the board

£40k – £85k

Based on advertised midpoints across the 5 priced listings posted in the last 12 months. Base salary only.

By seniority
£k base
Mid
50
85
2 jobs
Senior
40
70
2 jobs
Skills & tools

What hiring managers ask for

% of 7 listings posted in the last 12 months that mention each skill, extracted from job descriptions.

Python
71%
C++
71%
ROS2
71%
Docker
57%
Robotics
43%
ROS
29%
CI/CD
29%
Computer Vision
29%
LiDAR
29%
IMU
29%
Path Planning
29%
NVIDIA Jetson
29%
Career ladder

From Junior to Principal

A typical UK progression for robotics software engineers. Years are guidance — strong people move faster, and many senior folks sidestep into research, product or management.

  1. Level 1

    Junior Robotics Software Engineer

    0–2 yrs

    Assist in the development and testing of robotic software, focusing on learning and contributing to small-scale projects.

  2. Level 2

    Robotics Software Engineer

    2–5 yrs

    Own the development of specific modules or subsystems, working closely with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration.

  3. Level 3

    Senior Robotics Software Engineer

    5–8 yrs

    Lead the design and implementation of complex robotic systems, mentoring junior engineers and driving innovation within the team.

  4. Level 4

    Principal Robotics Software Engineer

    8+ yrs

    Oversee the entire software development lifecycle, from concept to deployment, and guide strategic technical decisions for the organisation.

Pathway

How to become a Robotics Software Engineer

There's no single route, but most people follow some version of these steps.

  1. 1

    Learn the Basics

    Gain foundational knowledge in robotics, programming, and control systems through formal education or self-study.

  2. 2

    Gain Practical Experience

    Participate in internships, hackathons, or personal projects to apply your skills and build a portfolio of work.

  3. 3

    Specialise in a Domain

    Focus on a specific area of robotics, such as perception, motion planning, or human-robot interaction, to deepen your expertise.

  4. 4

    Join a Robotics Team

    Work in a professional setting, contributing to the development of robotic systems and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.

  5. 5

    Lead Projects

    Take on leadership roles, managing the development of complex robotic systems and mentoring junior engineers.

  6. 6

    Influence Strategy

    Shape the technical direction of your organisation, driving innovation and strategic decision-making in robotics.

Live jobs

8 live roles

Robotics Software Engineer

This role involves designing, developing, and maintaining robotics software for autonomous platforms, including sensor fusion, path planning, and kinematics. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams to bring robotic systems from prototype to production, using technologies like ROS2, LiDAR, and NVIDIA Jetson boards.

Zenovo Cheshire, United Kingdom £85,000 pa
On-site Permanent

Robotics Software Engineer (Flight Software)

This role involves designing, building, and integrating robotics software components for autonomous systems, focusing on perception, planning, control, and decision-making. You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to develop cutting-edge safety and assurance technology, contributing to the testing, validation, and optimization of software systems.

DCS Recruitment Oxfordshire, United Kingdom £50,000 – £55,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent Clearance Required
Ocado logo

Senior Robotics Software Engineer

This role involves developing and optimizing advanced robotic systems for automated grocery fulfillment, focusing on sensor-driven manipulation and real-time performance. The engineer will integrate machine learning techniques, build resilient control systems, and collaborate across hardware and software teams to deploy robust robotics solutions in live environments. Emphasis is placed on safety, reliability, and scaling production-grade code within a dynamic Agile workflow.

Ocado Welwyn Hatfield, United Kingdom
Hybrid Permanent

Senior Robotics Software Engineer

This role involves developing production-grade C++ software for autonomous robotic systems operating in real-world environments. You'll work on core robotics functionality including motion planning, trajectory generation, and robot control using ROS2, integrating perception and sensor systems while collaborating closely with cross-disciplinary engineering teams. The position emphasizes hands-on development for physical robotic platforms in a collaborative, innovation-driven environment.

OpenSourced Cambridge, United Kingdom £50,000 – £70,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent

Senior Robotics Software Engineer (C++ / Data Systems)

This role involves developing modern C++ software to collect, process, and analyse data from distributed robotic systems. You'll build data acquisition pipelines, work with cloud-connected databases, and support large-scale robotic fleet deployments. The position offers hands-on technical challenges in a cutting-edge robotics environment with opportunities for innovation and system ownership.

OpenSourced Cambridge, United Kingdom £40,000 – £65,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent

Staff/Senior Robotics Software Engineer - Simulation

This role involves designing and implementing high-fidelity simulation environments for robotic systems, writing clean and scalable code, and integrating digital twins. The engineer will work closely with multiple teams to ensure seamless integration of simulation tools and stay informed on current trends in the simulation field.

Humanoid London, United Kingdom
On-site Permanent
Amazon logo

Senior Drone Software Dev Engineer, Ring Robotics Platform Engineering

This role involves developing high-performance embedded software and control algorithms for autonomous drones and robotics systems. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to implement cutting-edge functionality, optimize performance, and mentor other engineers.

Amazon Cambridge, United Kingdom
On-site Permanent

Manufacturing Engineer - Software, Robotics, Automation

Overview:Service Service is recruiting a Manufacturing Engineer with experience in Software, Robotics & Automation for a highly technical electronics manufacturer based in Norwich.This role focuses on industrial automation, robotics integration, and software-driven manufacturing systems within a precision engineering environment.This is...

Service Service Old Catton, United Kingdom
Top hirers

Companies hiring robotics software engineers

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Hiring locations

Where this role is hiring

The locations with the most live listings for this role today.

Cambridge

Location
3 open

London

Location
1 open
FAQs

Common questions

  • C++, Python, and ROS (Robot Operating System) are widely used in the field. Knowledge of these languages is highly beneficial.

  • A strong foundation in robotics is crucial, but relevant experience in software development, control systems, and machine learning can also be valuable.

  • Working hours can vary, but many roles follow a standard 9-to-5 schedule. However, project deadlines and testing phases may require occasional overtime.

  • Salaries can vary based on experience, location, and company size. For more detailed salary information, please refer to the salary section on this page.

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